Ampex, you've got to be kidding me!

Hi all,

First things first, I'm the smallest fish in the the tank when it comes to coins and bullion.

I went on Ampex to buy ONE coin ($17.20), only to find out the "Lowest S&H" costs $12.95.

I'm curious about what kind of shipping and handling costs that much from those of you who have ordered from Ampex before. I'm thinking that its because I only wanted to order one piece, but still, is this the norm?

Thanks,

Chas.

 

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In the case of just one I'm guessing the shipping is a buck or two it's the handling that's killing you

 

You missed another requirement. They have a $50 minimum order.

 

It is the norm, as stated in the Apmex Shipping/Handling charges
They ship very quickly, and securely using well packed and premium packing supplies to ensure safe and discreet delivery.

 

APMEX has some pretty ridiculous shipping charges if you're buying lower cost items. However, APMEX is the only online dealer who is even attempting some semblance of reasonable shipping time. And by shipping time, I don't mean next day or 2nd day, I mean the time it takes to actually get the order shipped out of their warehouse after the order was placed.

All other online dealers are content to immediately charge you in full for your order (not just pending charges either) and then sit on your cash for a week or two before they ship anything. And just because they tell you what to expect in this regard doesn't make it right or a good way of doing business.

OK, rant over.

 

Woah, I think this is the first thread I've posted with so many replies in such a short time

Okay, I can dig the whole $50.00 minimum, as I hadn't read that much into the requirements. But still, 12.95 is almost another oz. I chuckled and almost spat my beer up when I saw that, which then alerted my wife who then came into my "man" room (lol). Ah, the wife was not happy that I was contemplating the much in S/H in relation to the cost of a single item (even if I were to purchase more the one item to equal $50.00).

Heck, even the 3% savings on S/H equates to roughly $11.78 (tipsy math, I may be wrong).

Any recommendations on anywhere else where I can buy low mark-up silver without the huge markup of S/H, other than eBay?

 

Oh I hear you mate, just the same as when I ordered a set from the mint (took a long time to ship) :smile

But thats just the thing, if I get my 'property' within two weeks, I care not. I only care about reasonable shipping time when it pertains to a personal hobby, not future investment. Unless of course Silver rocketed to $60 oz during those two weeks, then I would care, LoL.

 

buy local

or if buying from apmex, buy in bulk, sprice over spot drops after larger quantity

 

Hi Krispy,

So, stick with $22 a pop 2010 ASE's (my local dealer)? That's another thing I was meaning to ask. Is it better to stick strictly with ASE's or purchase other silver bullion to store in the safe (for example Apmex silver)?

 

Humpty: I certainly don't have all the answers here on this topic. There's been plenty written on this here and there's been plenty of responses provided in these bullion investing threads regarding precisely your questions about what to buy.

Usually ASEs are going to be the most readily accepted and easiest liquidated form of bullion you can acquire and sell when it comes time to do so. APMEX may be readily willing to buy back their own branded silver coins and bars just like the Kitco signature product program guarantees they will buy back theirs. The recognizable coins like ASE, Maples, Perth Mint products, and others are readily understood to be pure high quality bullion and readily accepted. Many smaller mints provide similar quality but you might find some dealers unfamiliar with other bullion products or find them less willing to accept them. ASEs for instance will carry a bit more premium above certain other coins but they also cost you more to acquire. Generic rounds/bars may be a way for you to pay less per ounce and let you acquire a greater quantity of physical silver. You have to decide what you want in the product you are considering buying and when buying from these bigger, full service online bullion dealers to take advantage of reduced premiums by saving up and buying in bulk. You also might want to monitor the prices for a while and notice times of the day when they are higher or lower, better for placing your order rather than overnight while you're home relaxing with an influential beverage of choice. Finding a lower cost point in the day might save you a little on a larger order.

I'm sure there are plenty of other aspects of advice the other members will be willing to share if I haven't covered something and there's bound to be other perspectives and experiences that will be valuable for you. I tried to be a little vague to help you get some ideas and things to consider before committing to your bullion purchase(s). Hope this was helpful in answering some of those questions you may have had. Good luck and have fun investing. It's fun receiving bullion shipments. :thumb:

 

KRISPY,

You say you don't have all the answers, but what you've told me is VERY valuable. THANK YOU! I do monitor the silver markets (not at the gold level yet) every day, and I've never once thought about buying when silver is cheaper throughout the day as I've never thought about metals in the same light as when I buy/sell stocks. Very good point!

You give yourself too little credit on your knowledge, but your entire post is going to help me tremendously, thank you. I remember reading a few weeks back about a CT member who keeps 2500 OZ's of silver in reserve (I can't remember his/her name), I want to purchase the same amounts of 'candy' that guy/gal (one step at a time though); LoL, and now I have a better understanding on how do it it.

If only I had people around who knew about metals AFTER I made 30k in penny stocks and BEFORE lost that same 30k in penny stocks ($500 investment) :crying:

 

APMEX also just went up on their premium over spot price on ASE's.

 

maybe thats how much it costs to ship it to you by taxi LOL

 

1) local dealer(s)
2) at any given time
-Bullion Direct -APMEX -GainesvilleCoins

concerning the online dealers for the past several months BD has been the overall cheapest.

Unfortunately, I have not found away around
1) premium
2) shipping
3) handling

I would purchase from Tulving but his minimum purchase requirements are too high for my taste

 

I used to buy more from Apmex until they raised their shipping prices. Now I use other online companies with lower charges or buy from a local bullion dealer. When I have ordered from Apmex, I try to find a coupon code which helps reduce the overall cost. However, you typically have to spend over $100 to save even 5%. TC

 

Again try discount gold and silver melody will sell one coin or 1000 and you wont get screwd! Alot of other places are great but i cant aford monster boxes of ASE or 5oz of gold at a shot.

 

For those of us in the middle of nowhere, shipping charges are a royal pain in the...

It's like the OP - he just wants ONE ASE. So he can get it at a reasonable price from APMEX and have to pay $12.95 shipping (NOT) or pay $22 to the lone, local dealer.

Really ticks you off, doesn't it? Oh well. One thing we do have in the middle of nowhere is lots and lots of clean, fresh air to hyper-ventilate on.

 

OUCH!!!

 

I can't speak to their current policy. I purchased a roll of circulated 1939-D nickels from them once. I cannot imagine I would have paid that shipping rate, unless I got some kind of tremendous deal on them.

 

My local dealer is selling ASEs for $18.50 each today. You might want to shop for a new dealer.